Interhemispheric Connectivity and Executive Functioning in Adults with Tourette Syndrome

Donkervoort, M., Kinsbourne, M., Margolis, A., & Perterson, B.S., (2006).  Interhemispheric

            Connectivity and executive functioning in adults with Tourette Syndrome.    

            Neuropsychology, 20(1), 66-76.  doi:  10.1037/0894-4105.20.1.66

            Tourette syndrome (TS) is the presence of chronic, semi-involuntary motor and vocal tics.  In those with TS the prefrontal cortex is smaller and the corpus callosum is larger than the average person.  Most research is focused on the function of the basal ganglia nuclei and the corpus callosum.  TS causes problems with dual task areas and also impairs performance on certain tasks.  Right handed people with TS perform abnormally on all measures pertaining to interhemispheric connectivity and also on integrating motor abilities on both hemispheres.  Left handed people are not affected as bad.  This is not the case with children.  Most children diagnosed with TS improve with treatment and in some cases go into remission by adulthood so they perform well with dual tasks and motor function.  The underlying brain function of those with TS still needs to be looked at further to be able to better understand all of the limitations of those with the syndrome.